title: Spontaneous electromyographic activity of the tongue in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Detection of denervation in muscles in the craniobulbar area is important to assure widespread lower motor neuron involvement in the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The value of spontaneous activity analysis in needle electromyography (EMG) of the tongue has been questioned in the recent literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  Spontaneous activity in the tongue and sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscles was reviewed retrospectively in 17 ALS patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Needle EMG showed spontaneous activity in the tongue in 14 of 17 patients (82%) and in 6 patients of 17 (35%) in SCM. Spontaneous EMG activity in the tongue was found in patients with and without bulbar symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Needle EMG is a valuable method for assessing clinical and subclinical involvement of the tongue in patients with bulbar and limb onset ALS. Adequate relaxation of the tongue is a prerequisite for proper spontaneous activity recording.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurophysiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Nørrebrogade 44, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Hatice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tankisi
authors.forename: Marit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Otto
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pugdahl
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fuglsang-Frederiksen
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014059:Tongue / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; bulbar muscles; electromyography; spontaneous activity; tongue